Nature Environment and Pollution Technology ISSN: 0972-6268 Vol. 12 No. 1 pp. 135-138 2013 An International Quarterly Scientific Journal General Research Paper Studies on the Impact of Arpa River Check Dams on the Microenvironment of District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh S. J. A. Bhat and S. M. Geelani Faculty of Forestry, S. K. University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology, Srinagar, Kashmir-193 201 (J& K), India ABSTRACT Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech. Website: www.neptjournal.com Bilaspur city is second largest city of the Chhattisgarh state and the River Arpa is the lifeline of this district. Arpa River has its origin from the lust dense forest area of Khondari-Khongsara. In 147 kms of the river Received: 14-6-2012 length, it contributes more than 90 kms to the forest area, including Bilaspur city and irrigated lands of this Accepted: 27-8-2012 district before meeting to Seonath river. The river is having catchment area of about 2022 sq. km. During Key Words: rainy season its water level raises 2-3 meters up and in summer it moves 5 meters down. The river bed is Arpa river mostly sandy with thickness of about 1.5 meter and few rock exposures at some places. More than ten Check dams check dams (Khondari, Belgahana, Lachhanpur, Rapta, Torwa, Darrighat, Sherwani, Kaneri, Mangla, etc.) Bilaspur have been constructed on this river. Earlier these check dams were constructed to overcome the problem of irrigation and for human welfare. But due to reduction in water level of origin site since last five years its water content is decreasing day by day and these check dams have become danger for the livelihood in the area. The maximum part of rain water gets stored in these check dams and is used by the people as a result little water reaches to Bilaspur city. Deforestation around the banks of Arpa river near the Bilaspur city has increased the pollution, thereby making the environment unstable. Study reveals that the sincere efforts need to be taken to manage the various check dams on the river for successful harvesting and recycling of rain water during monsoon season so that microenvironment of the city can not be adversely affected. INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilaspur is located in eastern part of Chhattisgarh and fall An integrated approach was used to survey the Arpa within lattitude 21°47’ to 23°8’ and longitude 81°14’ to river watershed through the collection of primary and 83°15’. It is surrounded by Koriya district in north, Shahdol secondary data. The primary data were collected through the district of Madhya Pradesh in south, Raipur district in east eye views and interviewing with villagers representing and Korba, Janjgir-Champa district in west (Anonymous different section of the society, which are settled on/and around 2003). The total area of Bilaspur is approximately 6,377 sq. the banks of Arpa river watershed. However, the secondary km. It is hilly towards north and plane in south which lead data were collected from the wide network including, scientific to quite cold and hot, respectively. The maximum tempera- research journals, agriculture, revenue, forest and irrigation ture of Bilaspur district is 45°C and average rain fall is 1220 departments of the state especially at tehsil and district levels. mm. Major rivers which surround Bilaspur district are Agaar, Both the data were used to meet the objectives of the study. Maniyaar and Arpa. Among these Arpa river is the lifeline The information was collected and compiled by selection of of Bilaspur. It is originated from Khondari-Khongsara, at stratified random sampling (35-40 samples/teshil) which is Pendra (tehsil) and flows to meet with Seonath river at Thakur settled on the bank of Arpa river watersheds. The data were deva near Bartori that in turn meets with Mahanadi. The river collected on the different aspects like water status and its Kharang is a major tributary of Arpa river. The length of utilization, causes of decreasing water level, dependency of Arpa is about 147 km and average water flow is 400 m. River human and livestock population on Arpa, diversification of catching area is 2022 sq. km. Besides, more than ten check agri-based entrepreneurs and finally the quality of water, etc. dams (Khondari, Belgahana, Lachhanpur, Rapta, Torwa, that greatly influence the microenvironment of the region. Darrighat, Sherwani, Kaneri, Mangla, etc.) have been con- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION structed on this river to mitigate the problem of irrigation and for raising the socioeconomic standards of the people of The results of the present study on different aspects are dis- the region (Anonymous 2008). The present study was aimed cussed below: to investigate the effects of check dams on the microenviron- Origin and nature of Arpa river: Arpa river is originated ment of the region especially District Bilaspur. from Khondari-Khongsara, at Pendra (tehsil) in Bilaspur 136 S. J. A. Bhat and S. M. Geelani Table 1: Salient features of Arpa river. Table 2: Parameters of water quality of Arpa river. Length 147 km Parameters Min Max Mean Width 400 m Depth 7-8 m Temperature, °C 26 26 26 Catchment area 2022 km2 Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/L)2.4 3.8 3.2 Origin Khomdari-Khongsara, Pendra pH 7.5 8.5 8.00 Meeting point Seonath river at Thakur Deva near Bartori Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 162 816 389 Climate Sub-tropical nature Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) 6.8 7.5 7.2 Temperature Minimum 16.6°C; Maximum 44.36°C Nitrate (mg/L) 1.02 1.30 1.16 Average rainfall 135 cm Nitrite (mg/L) 0.02 0.03 0.03 Ammonia (mnp/100mL) 1.24 1.48 1.37 Source: Annual report department of irrigation district Bilaspur (2008-09) Total coliform (MNP/100mL) 83 185 146 district (Fig. 1). The length of Arpa is about 147 km and (Source: http://cpcbenvis.nic.in/wq-2005/MAHANADI.htm) average water flow is 400 m. River catchment area is 2022 sq.km. The water flows from north-west to south direction. utilization for agricultural purposes (Srivastava et al. 2003). Except rainy season, it faces scarcity of water. During rainy But due to continuous deforestation, increasing population season its water level raises 2-3 m up and in summer season and climatic change water level of Arpa river has gone down it moves 5m down (Joshi et al. 2004). The river bed is mostly and a situation of drought has been generated in Bilaspur sandy with a thickness of about 1.5m and few rock expo- which can be easily recognized today (Khorasi 2004). In sures at some places. The salient features of Arpa river are Bilaspur city many big and small bridges have been built on given in Table 1. this river in which Koni bridge, Indra-setu, Choti pool, Rapta Present conditions of Arpa river: From Khondari- pool and Torwa pool are main. From Belghana to Rapta pool, Khongsara to Bilaspur, the river passes through various ad- the entire Bilaspur city faces water problem except some verse conditions. Streams originating from the Michel range rainy seasons (Wani et al. 2003). which is located between the Khondari-Khongsara is the Water quality: The water quality of Arpa with respect to source of water of this river which flow throughout the year. pH ranges from 7.5-8.5. The average value of conductivity Between Belgahan and Bilaspur there is no such stream is 389 mmohs/cm at Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. The which can add water to the river. Its width between Belghan DO value varies from 6.8-7.5 mg/L. The BOD ranges from to Bilapur is quite wide as compared to the availability of 2.4-3.8 mg/L and the highest value was observed at U/s of water. For last five years this river has been fully dependent Belghana (16 mg/L) in Chhattisgarh. The total faecal colif- on rain water. The main reason behinds this is the drying of orm range from 83-185 MPN/100 and the average value is - its origin sites as shown in Fig. 2. 146 MPN/100mL). The concentration of nitrite (NO2 ) range from 0.02-0.03 mg/L. The concentration of nitrate (NO -) More than 10 check dams have been constructed on this 3 river. Earlier these check dams were constructed to overcome ranges from 1.02-1.30 mg/L, while the average concentra- the problem of irrigation and for human welfare (Kerr 2002). tion of nitrate (0.03 mg/L) is recorded at U/s of Bilaspur, But due to the drying of its origin sites for last 5 years its Chhattisgarh (Anonymous 2005). The water quality status water content is decreasing day by day and these check dams observed in river Arpa with respect to pH, conductivity, DO, have become danger for the river. The maximum part of the BOD, COD, faecal coliform count and total coliform count rain water gets stored in these check dams and is used by the are given in Table 2. local people and as a result little water reaches to Bilaspur Effects of Arpa River on the Environment of Bilaspur (Kerr et al. 2004). The features of two important check dams • Due to drying of river, the underground water level of on Arpa river are presented in Fig. 3. Bilaspur is going down day by day, which is appearing Dependence of Bilaspur city on Arpa river: As Bilaspur as major problem to the growing population (Kerr et al. is situated on the bank of Arpa, people are fully dependent 2004). on it since ancient times.